All About Father's Day

Many of us celebrate Father’s Day every June, but how many of us really know much about the holiday—other than the fact that it seems to make golf balls, toolkits, and fishing equipment go on sale? Here are some fun facts about Father’s Day.

Father’s Day was inspired by the creation of Mother’s Day. No surprise there!

More than 70% of Americans celebrate Father’s Day.

While half of all Father’s Day cards go to fathers, 20% are given by wives to their husbands. Perhaps this 20% is made up of families with very young children? (If so, kiddos can still give their dads a token of affection on Father’s Day. How about a handmade card, a painted rock, or even a simple handprint?)

95 million Father’s Day cards are expected to be sent this year. Again, handmade cards are often considered best. Why not make your own with some glitter, glue, yarn, markers, or whatever else you have on hand?

The idea for Father’s Day was first proposed in 1909 by Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Washington. Dodd’s mother was deceased, and she wanted a special day to honor her father, a Civil War veteran, who raised his six children on his own. William Smart, Dodd’s father, was born on June 19; hence, the first Father’s Day took place on that date. What a special way to have your daughter honor you—by having both Father’s Day and its very date based on you!

The first presidential proclamation issuing Father’s Day did not occur until many years later in 1966, when President Johnson declared the third Sunday in June to be Father’s Day. President Nixon later signed a law that made the holiday permanent in 1972.

Father’s Day is celebrated in the same month in many different countries of the world, including China, France, India, Japan, Canada, the UK, and others.

Father’s Day isn’t just about fathers, but also father figures. If you have an uncle, in-law, special family friend, or other person who has been a father figure in your life, be sure to celebrate him on Father’s Day.

There are an estimated 67.8 million fathers in America.

In 2009, 15% of single parents were men. There were also 158,000 stay at home dads that year.

For a list of 50 great ideas on how to celebrate Father’s Day, check out this article from the U.S. Department of Health. Most are very simple and free, but still meaningful.